St Athan: Swallow Playgroup based at MOD St Athan West Camp Community Centre - spaces available

 

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Hampshire: Home Start support for military families

 

Home Start volunteers help families with children age 0-11 years deal with the challenges they face. They support parents (including military families) to learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.

Click on the QR code to access further information of other areas of support that Home Start can help with.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Transformative new childcare support could save Armed Forces families up to £6,000 a year

(images UK MOD Crown Copyright 2024)

A new Ministry of Defence scheme to transform support for Armed Forces families with young children will be rolled out across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026, the Defence Secretary has announced on 20 March 2026.

This major boost could save eligible Armed Forces families up to £6,000 per year for each child, depending on where you are in the UK.

Defence is committed to supporting Armed Forces families, wherever you live and work. This scheme will help with the cost of living and navigating life as a family in the Armed Forces, recognising the demands placed on Service personnel and the critical roles families play in support of them.

Hundreds of families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to be eligible for the scheme.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

"Our Armed Forces families are at the heart of our nation's security. With demands on defence rising, from the conflict in the Middle East to growing Russian aggression, we are asking more of our military, and it is right that we continue to step up our support for them.

“This transformative offer will ensure more military families get the childcare support they need, no matter where they are posted.

"We are making good on our promise to Armed Forces families - supporting them as they support our dedicated military personnel defending the UK and our allies. Our message to the Armed Forces community is clear: this government is on your side."

Defence Secretary meets Service families

(images UK MOD Crown Copyright 2024)

(images UK MOD Crown Copyright 2024)

On 19 March 2026, the Defence Secretary visited Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh to launch this new scheme and meet families who will benefit from this extra support.

About the scheme
Who is eligible for the scheme?

Defence UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) – launches Sept 2026

Click poster to enlarge.
To access any document links, please view the document online here.

Further information will follow in due course, but please contact HIVE with any queries in the meantime.

Wales: Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year

A new Defence scheme to transform support for forces families with young children will be rolled out across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026, the Defence Secretary announced on 20th March 2026.

This major boost for UK Armed Forces families will save forces families living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland up to £6,000 per year for each child and will help with the cost of living as they serve to protect the nation.

It will be delivered through the Ministry of Defence’s existing Early Years childcare reimbursement scheme and will ensure that eligible working UK Armed Forces families receive the same Government funded childcare support as forces families in England.

This government promised to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve, and this support is another major step to deliver on that pledge. Childcare is cited as one of several factors affecting Armed Forces retention and morale and this government is on a mission to fix the recruitment crisis. The announcement was made by Defence Secretary John Healey MP on a visit to meet families at Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh.

To read the whole article on the .Gov website: Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Scotland: Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year

A new Defence scheme to transform support for forces families with young children will be rolled out across the UK from September 2026.

A new Defence scheme to transform support for forces families with young children will be rolled out across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026, the Defence Secretary has announced today.

This major boost for UK Armed Forces families will save forces families living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland up to £6,000 per year for each child and will help with the cost of living as they serve to protect the nation.

It will be delivered through the Ministry of Defence’s existing Early Years childcare reimbursement scheme and will ensure that eligible working UK Armed Forces families receive the same Government funded childcare support as forces families in England.

To read more 👉 Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year - GOV.UK

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Bovington: Nursery school for ages 3 months to pre-school

 

Open all year apart from the Christmas holidays and the last week of the summer holidays.

Timings:
Monday - Thursday 08.00 – 17.00 Monday – Thursday
Friday 08.00 – 15.00

Bovington Nursery is located at

Linsay Road  (near to the Tank Museum) BH20 6JG

Tel 01929 403602

E-Mail office@bovingtonnursery.co.uk

Click link HERE for website 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Moray: Earth Time Waddle Toddle

click on image to enlarge

Peter Rabbit is hopping along to Waddle Toddle this week to find Mr McGregors carrots 🥕🥕 Can you help him find them?

🐇 Hop along and have a go at planting your own seeds to take home.
🍎 Munch your way through snack provided
🍵 Enjoy a warm drink whilst you listen to the stories.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

St Andrews: Little Niblicks, children 0-5 years workshop at the R&A World Golf Museum **FREE** Last Friday of the month up to April 2026

Little Niblicks - Old and New 

Bring along your baby or toddler to enjoy the sights and sounds of the museum.

Roll a ball, sing a song or join in a craft, we’d love to welcome you and your little one. 

Join us for multi-sensory play with a new theme each month.

📌The R&A World Golf Museum
📆 Friday 27th Feb, 11.00am - 12.00pm
🍵 Refreshments available for participants.
🚼 Baby changing facilities available
🔗Drop in on the day or book your spot: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../little-niblicks-children

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Church Crookham: NANA Virtual Network date: Thurs 23rd April 2026 time: 1000 - 1200hrs

 

Your not alone: NANA  is a friendly online space for Nepalese parents of children with special needs.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Inverness: Pupils from Armed Forces Families at Raigmore Primary School in Inverness have co-produced a ‘Welcome Book’ for new primary aged pupils from Armed Forces families arriving in the Highlands

Pupils from Armed Forces Families at Raigmore Primary School in Inverness have co-produced a wonderful ‘Welcome Book’ for new primary aged pupils from Armed Forces families arriving in the Highlands – but is a wonderful resource for any new Primary School pupil arriving.

The book is designed to be accessible for all, with options to click to listen or read text or both as you go through the book. They have talked about things that they want to highlight that are important to them when moving Schools.

The pupils hope you enjoy the book, that you share with those who will benefit and appreciate it and we can’t wait to hear your feedback. Click the image below to read the book.

To read the book 👉Book Creator | A Book to Welcome You!

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Grantham: Support with childcare costs

www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fundedchildcare

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Church Crookham: Army Welfare Service Give Us a Hand

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: - Hampshire Fostering Services

 

Every share matters. By working together, we can inspire more families to consider fostering and give more children the chance to thrive in a loving home. Please use the hashtag #MyBestFriendEve

Facebook ; https://www.facebook.com/HampshireChildren

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/hampshirechildren/

Linkedin   : https://www.linkedin.com/company/hantschildren

You can also find more information about fostering in Hampshire here:

https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/fostering

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: Hampshire County Council Childcare Choices

 

Changes to childcare support mean you might now be eligible for more help than ever before. Support from Childcare Choices can give your child a great start while giving you work choices, helping you make the juggle of family life a little easier. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Surrey: childcare provision and funding - Surrey Additional Needs and Disabilities

Childcare providers have a legal duty to offer extra support to meet the needs of a child with a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This might include installing a ramp to allow wheelchair access to their premises, or training staff to use special equipment. 

They will also be able to apply to Surrey County Council to access additional support and funding to help pay for extra staff, training or resources that have been identified as necessary to allow your child to attend their setting. More information is available on the Surrey website below.

Click HERE for more information. 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

London: Home Start London

Home Start are there for parents when they need it the most because childhood can’t wait

All parents struggle at one time or another and Home-Start is ready to support London families through their toughest times.

Home-Start trains and supports volunteers to work alongside parents in their own home giving compassionate and confidential support, tailored to each family. Home-Start London is a consortium of 12 local Home-Starts operating across 24 London boroughs. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Aldershot: Stay and Play Group at Maurice Toye House 27 Midddle Hill, Every Tuesday from 1000hrs - 1130hrs

 

AWS works in collaboration with local authorities to deliver partnership workshops that support families in health and learning development. These sessions run during term time and are inclusive and open to all families in the community.

 Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Church Crookham: Army Welfare Service Stay & Play Group at Quetta Park, Community Hall, Church Crookham, Every Thursday 1000hrs - 1130hrs starts 15th January 2026

 

AWS works in collaboration with local authorities to deliver partnership workshops that support families in health and learning development. These sessions run during term time and are inclusive and open to all families in the community.

 Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Scotland: Early Years Forces Children Project

click on image to enlarge

Are you a parent of a baby or child aged six or younger? 

Then Forces Children Scotland would love to hear about your experiences of raising children as a Forces Family.

Scan the QR code or follow the link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclXwEgeFThyvqBGa_x0li4wPxq9EjP9KKAxcRyOyI-gLrVOA/viewform  if you are interested in taking part.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE